Apparatus and methods relating to image coding

Abstract

A product has a coding pattern on its surface. The coding pattern may include symbols representing at least two different values and where each symbol comprises a raster point and at least one marking. The raster point is included in a raster that extends over the surface and the value of each symbol is indicated by the placement of the marking in relation to the raster point. The markings may each have a spatial extent that, in combination, may at least partially form the image.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority benefits based on Swedish Patent Application No. 0000950-6, filed Mar. 21, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 207,838, filed Mar. 30, 2000, the technical disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.[0002] The present invention relates to pattern recognition and detection. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for reading information from images stored as a pattern on a surface.[0003] In many contexts, both commercial and scientific, it is important to create an image on a surface, where the image contains as much information as possible. In this context, images can comprise, for example, photographically produced images of real objects and artificially generated images where information is represented by structures of varying blackness. In addition to the information, which is directly visible from the varying blackness over the image, it can be of use to add information ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

0014] A specific advantage of the invention is that, by printing an image using a coding pattern containing further information which enables interaction, it allows for more flexibility when providing products with images. More space can be appointed to images as compared to traditional presentations where barcodes, tick-boxes etc. are used. Moreover, it is advantageous that the printing of the image and the coding pattern is performed in one and the same step.

0015] Needless to say, a product according to the invention can be made more aesthetically pleasing to view in that the image itself comprises the regions allowing the interaction.

0016] A general advantage of pattern and pattern production according to the aspects of the invention is more or less related to the fact that this is a digital operation. The positions of the markings are entered and interpreted as binary numbers, in which case the equipment to be used can be of relatively simple nature.

0017] According to the aspects of the invention pattern and pattern production may be more or less related to the fact that this may be a digital operation. The positions of the markings may be entered and interpreted as binary numbers, in which case the equipment to be used can be of relatively simple nature.

0018] A more or less problematic situation which can arise in the printing of markings, i.e. screen-pr

Problems solved by technology

A drawback of the invention presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,098 is that its use is restricted to applications where the halftone cells are of constant spatial extension across an image.

Another restriction is that the h

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